This year, Arts Alliance will award a total of $633,020 to 33 arts and cultural organizations in Hampton Roads. Our grant application is no small task; each applicant speaks with our committee personally in addition to providing audited financial statements, an outline of annual programming, and a synopsis of outreach in support of diverse local causes. This comprehensive review gives our committee a clear assessment of the overall health of the arts in our community.
Having endured a two-year pandemic, an intense grant application is a walk in the park for the organizations we support. Arts groups are now accustomed to operating in a state of flux, coping with cancellations, closures, furloughs, and inflation. In the face of these obstacles, the show goes on. Concerts, theater productions, exhibitions, and classes are back to nourish all ages and backgrounds with creativity, imagination, and culture.
Pivoting time and time again, many arts groups are employing technology to fulfill their missions and reach new audiences. Virginia Stage Company is producing virtual events including A Murder at Fernly Hall, the I. Sherman Greene Chorale’s Virtual Christmas Concert and a Virtual Black Composers Concert are available for viewing on Facebook and YouTube, and Symphonicity’s Digital Ovation Series allows members to enjoy full concerts from the comfort of their homes.
While technology and outside-the-box thinking helps to engage and cultivate new audiences, government relief and generous community donations have been the lifeline of financial health for the arts during these trying times. As government support expires, arts groups must once again rely on their audiences to sustain.
Unfortunately, not all audiences have returned to pre-covid levels, especially amongst performing arts groups. Well-known productions have fared better, but the more challenging and artistic events struggle to garner attendance. The impact of the pandemic on the habits and preferences of arts patrons will likely linger for years to come. At the same time, faced with prolonged unemployment, artists are struggling to stay in their fields. Arts organizations are reporting higher expenses to maintain a staff that works fewer hours.
Despite challenges, the state of the arts remains strong. Arts groups continue to find new and creative ways to make our community a great place to live and work. Momentum from hard work and innovative ideas needs to continue for the arts to stay healthy. Our leadership, advocacy, and collaboration are critical in charting the path for the decades ahead. We invite you to join Arts Alliance in connecting business and arts leaders to foster a strong, vibrant, and inclusive Hampton Roads.
—Walker Phillips, President, Arts Alliance